1962 Corvette Gulf Oil Race Car To Cross RM Sotheby

Sponsored Links

Any C2 Corvette is lust worthy, but one that has gone racing and lives to display its honor is even more so. This particular 1962 C2 Corvette went to do battle with Europe’s finest decades ago, but remains as one of the most sought after Corvettes to date.

This is because this 1962 Corvette came from the factory with the highly-capable RPO 687 package. The package turned the car into a race-ready machine, outfitted with a massive 37 gallon fuel tank, heavy duty brakes, reworked suspension with special rear shocks, additional air scoops and finally, a quicker steering ratio.

The additional racing bits were paired with the 327 cubic-inch, 360 hp fuel-injected engine, already highly desirable. After the fine people at the factory did their job, it was sent to none other than Don Yenko who prepared the 1962 Corvette for the SCCA series. It was then outfitted with its current Gulf Oil livery.

It was created to take on the world, and take on the world it did. The lowest position the 1962 Gulf Oil Corvette would see through its racing season would be second place. The car would go on to tally 12 wins across the U.S. before it was converted to street specifications and sold off.

For the next 20 years of the car’s life it would see only four other owners before a minister, who happened to be a Corvette aficionado, noticed components from the RPO 687 package, and further confirmed his hunch about the car’s racing history during a disassembly of the car.

The missing racing parts were tracked down and reinstalled, while a full restoration was ordered for the car. The 1962 Corvette would continue to be shown off at concourse and racing events before being inducted into the Bloomington Gold Hall of Fame in 2004.

This significant piece of Corvette racing is extensively documented, and won’t be sold on the cheap either. RM Auctions is estimating between $2 million and $2.75 million. But with a history like this, it’s priceless.